Door safety edge construction

ABSTRACT

A safety edge construction for a door including an edge plate coextensive with a door edge and having one surface facing away from the door, the edge plate being formed in its outer surface with an undercut longitudinal groove, a pressure sensitive inner body extending along the groove, and a stiff flexible attachment member secured to the body and having a rib conformably engaged in the groove for retention of the body against separation from the plate.

United States Patent 1191 Miller 1 DOOR SAFETY EDGE CONSTRUCTION [75]Inventor: Norman K. Miller, Concordville, Pa. [73] Assignee: MillerBrothers, Concordville, Pa.

[22] Filed: Aug. 9, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 496,113

[52] U.S. Cl. 49/488; 49/27; 49/489; 200/6143 {51] Int. Cl. E06B 7/16;HOlH 3/16 [58] Field of Search 49/488, 489, 27, 28, 469; 200/6143, 61.73

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,329,791 9/1943 Sevison49/488 3,226,367 12/1965 Monti 49/489 X [111 3,896,590 July 29, 19753,303,303 2/1967 Miller 49/27 X 3,380,194 4/1968 Biro 49/488 X 3,462,8858/1969 Miller 49/27 Primary Examiner-Philip C. Kannan Attorney, Agent,or Firm-Robert K. Youtie [57] ABSTRACT A safety edge construction for adoor including an edge plate coextensive with a door edge and having onesurface facing away front the door, the edge plate being formed in itsouter surface with an undercut longitudinal groove, a pressure sensitiveinner body extending along the groove, and a stiff flexible attachmentmember secured to the body and having a rib conformably engaged in thegroove for retention of the body against separation from the plate.

6 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures 1 DOOR SAFETY EDGE CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION As is well known to those versed in the art of safetyedges for doors and the like, considerable problems have heretofore beenexperienced in attachment of safety edges to both new door constructionand existing doors. Also, repair and replacement of worn out safety edgeconstructions involve substantial labor costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an important object of thepresent invention to provide a door safety edge construction whichovercomes the above-mentioned difficulties, permitting of quick and easyattachment to both new door construction, either at the factory or theinstallation sight, as well as facilitating insulation on existingdoors, both by way of replacing a previously existing safety edge, andby the addition of a safety edge to an existing door not previouslyhaving a safety edge.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a door edgeconstruction having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in thepreceding paragraph, wherein the labor time and skill required forinstallation or attachment is greatly reduced, without sacrificingquality of workmanship or integrity of the finished structure.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a doorsafety edge construction of the type described wherein an effectivelysealed unit may be quickly and easily installed on or removed from adoor, whether it be new door construction at the factory, or apreviously installed door at the sight of operation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a door safetyedge construction having the advantageous characteristics mentioned inthe preceding paragraphs, which is extremely simple and durable instructure, economic in manufacture, installation and maintenance, andhighly reliable in operation throughout a long useful life.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings,which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which thescope will be indicated by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partialperspective viewshowing an installed door, which may be an overhead or rolled type, andmay incorporate the safety edge construction of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional elevational view, taken generally alongthe line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a partial bottom perspective view showing a slightly modifiedform of door edge plate of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken generally along the line 7-7of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a sectional elevational view similar to FIG. 2, butillustrating a further embodiment of the instant invention.

FIG. 9 is a partial bottom perspective view showing the attachmentmember of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a transverse sectional view taken generally along the linel0l0 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a partial bottom perspective view showing another slightlymodified embodiment of attachment member of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a transverse sectional view taken generally along the linel2-l2 of FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularlyto the drawings, and specifically to FIGS. 1-5 thereof, in FIG. 1 isshown a building 20 having an opening or doorway 21 and a door 22movable into and out of closing relation with respect to the doorway.The door 22 may be of any suitable type, and is shown therein as anoverhead door, say of roll-up construction including a plurality ofpivotally connected or articulated, side-by-side slats 23.

The extreme or edgemost door slat or panel, which moves into and out ofproximate closing relation with the door threshold, is designated 24,and includes a safety edge construction of the present invention,generally designated 25. That is, the extreme or edgemost door panel 24may be suitably articulated to the next adjacent slat or panel 23, asseen in FIG. 2, as by interfitting hinge formations 25 and. 26, formovement of the panel 24 toward and away from a door jamb or thresholdwith the safety edge construction 25 carried into and out of closingengagement with the door jamb or threshold.

The safety edge construction 25 is generally of elongate configuration,extending closely along and secured to the panel 24. More specifically,the safety edge construction 25 includes an elongate inner body or core26, say of the type disclosed in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,315,050. Thus,the inner body 26 is resiliently compressible, say fabricated of rubberor plastic foam material, and pressure sensitive to actuate switchmeans,

say to close an electric circuit by moving flexible contact strips 27and 28 into electrical contact with each other.

The inner body or foam core 26 is completely encompassed, throughout itslength and on all sides, by a casing 30, which may advantageously befabricated of flexible sheet material, such as suitable plastic. Thecasing 30 is fabricated of a flexible sheet material which is imperviousto liquid, vapor and gas, and effectively sealed, as by suitableadhesive, thermosealing, radiofrequency welding, or other suitable meansto insure an hermetically sealed casing 30 entirely and conformablyenclosing the inner body 26.

As illustrated, the inner body 26 may be of a generally rectangularcross-sectional configuration, and sub stantially constant throughoutits length. In conformance with the inner body 26, the casing 30 mayinclude a generally rectangular bottom wall 31, generally rectangularside walls 32 and 33, which may upstand integrally from opposite sidesof the bottom wall, and generally rectangular end walls 34, see FIG. 3which may upstand from the bottom wall 31 extending laterally betweenside walls 32 and 33, being respectively secured thereto by suitablehermetically sealed seams 35, 36 and 37. The casing may further includean additional generally rectangular closing or covering sheet 38, alsoof generally rectangular outline configuration and suitably hermeticallysecured along its margins to the upper edges of said walls 32 and 33,and end walls 34, as by securements or seams 39, 40 and 41.

The movable edge of door 22, say along the free edge of slat or panel24, is provided with an edge plate 45, say of generally rectangularconfiguration extending along and longitudinally coextensive with doorslat 24. In practice, the edge plate may be formed integrally with thedoor slat 24 extending generally normal thereto remote from the hingepart 26 and terminating at opposite longitudinal edges 46 and 47, whichmay be equally spaced on opposite sides of the door slat 24. The lateraldimension or extent of edge plate 45, as between longitudinal edges 46and 47, may approximate the lateral or horizontal dimension of thepressure sensitive edge assembly 25, being located congruent thereto.

The edge plate 45 is generally planar or flat, and may have its under orouter surface 48 recessed, as at 49 to form a downwardly or outwardlyfacing groove. Further, the groove 49 may extend longitudinally of theedge plate 45, being longitudinally coextensive therewith so as toterminate at opposite ends of the edge plate, and may be locatedlaterally medially of the edge plate, say equally spaced between theside edges 46 and 47 of the plate. The downwardly or outwardly facinggroove or recess 49 is formed with a pair of laterally opposed, facing,spaced internal undercuts, as at 50 and 51, all for purposes appearingpresently.

In addition, the door edge plate 45 is formed with an access passageway,opening or groove 55, see FIG. 4, which is located adjacent to one end,as at 56, of the edge plate and communicates with the groove 49. Theaccess opening or passageway may be of a cross sectional configurationessentially similar to that of groove 49, as best seen in FIG. 5, andthe access passageway 55 may extend from one side edge, say edge 47 ofthe plate 45 diagonally inwardly for mergence with the groove 49.

Interposed between the edge plate 45 and upper side or covering sheet 38of the pressure sensitive edge assembly 25 is a generally rectangularattachment member 56, being sandwiched between and generally congruentto both the plate 45 and cover sheet 38. Further, the generallyrectangular attachment member 56 may advantageously be of a flexiblecharacteristic, but somewhat stiffer than the rather freely compressibleand flexible assembly of body 26 and cover 30. In practice, theattachment member 56 may be of suitable plastic material, having athickness sufficient to afford the desired stiffness and flexibility,and is hermetically sealed about its peripheral margins, as bythermosealing, welding or other suitable means. Specifically, theattachment member 56 may be secured by suitable hermetic sealing, asalong longitudinal edge seams 57 and 58 to respective longitudinalmargins of cover sheet 38, and also suitable hermetically sealed, as at59, along opposite end margins to respective adjacent end margins of thecover sheet 38. Thus, the attachment member 56 is hermetically sealedabout its entire periphery to the entire periphery of the nether coversheet 38.

Provided on the upper side of attachment member 56, say being formedintegrally therewith and longitudinally coextensive is an upstanding rib60. The rib 60 may be located laterally medially between thelongitudinal side edges of attachment member 56, longitudinallycoextensive therewith, and generally T-shaped in section, having anupper cross region 61 defining opposite lateral extensions oroutstanding edges 62 and 63.

It will now be appreciated that the rib 60 is crosssectionally similarto the groove 49, and is conformably engaged therein, as seen in FIG. 2,the laterally outstanding edges 62 and 63 engaging in the undercuts 50and 51 for positive retention against separation. That is, the entiresafety edge unit 25, 56 is somewhat longitudinally flexible or bendablefor longitudinal or endwise movement of rib 60 into groove 49 asillustrated in FIG. 2.

In the attachment procedure. the flexibility of the unit 25, 56 permitsof endwise movement of rib 60 into access passageway 55 and thence intogroove 49. While there is usually some space available adjacent to theopen end of groove 49, beyond the plate edge 56, this space may not besufficient to accommodate the entire safety edge unit, so that theaccess passageway 55 may be advantageous.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, there is provided an accesspassagewy 55a in the nature of an enlarged opening or hole enteringthrough the outer space 48a of edge plate 450 into the groove 49a. Theenlarged access passageway or hole 500 may be adjacent to and spacedfrom the plate end edge 56a and is sized to permit movement therethroughof the entire rib 60, including the lateral extensions 62 and 63.

A further embodiment is shown in FIGS. 8-10, wherein a pressuresensitive unit 25b includes an attachment member 56b-and isattached to adoor edge plate 45b carried by a door slat or panel 24b.

The embodiment of FIGS. 8-10 may be essentially similar to the firstdescribed embodiment, except that the attachment member 56b is providedon its upper side with a pair of parallel spaced longitudinallyextending, upstanding ribs 61b and l61b, which may be substantiallyidentical, each including a laterally enlarged upper portion. The ribs61b and l61b may be suitably provided, as by integral formation, on theupper side of attachment member 56b.

In addition, the under or outer surface 48b of edge plate 45b is formedwith a pair of parallel spaced longitudinally extending grooves 49b and14% configured and arranged to respectively conformably receive ribs 61band l6lb to retain the same against separation from the plate.

Further, as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, edge plate 45b may be formed with apair of access passageways or grooves 55b and l55b extending inparallelism with each other diagonally of the plate, adjacent to one endthereof for mergence with respective grooves 49b and l49b. These accesspassageways or grooves 55b and l55b may be used to facilitate entry ofribs 61b and l6lb endwise into grooves 49b and 14% when there isinsufficient space available beyond the end 56b of plate 45b.

A further embodiment is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, wherein a plate 450 isprovided with a pair of parallel spaced, longitudinally extendinggrooves 490 and 149a adapted to respectively receive the ribs 61b andl6lb of the unit 25b, 56b. However, the plate 45c is provided with apair of access passageways or openings 55c and 1550, which communicaterespectively with grooves 490 and 1490. The access openings orpassageways 55c and l55c are enlarged holes of sufficient dimension topass the laterally extended regions of ribs 611) and 161!) into theundercuts of grooves 490 and 149C, in essentially the same manner as theembodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6.

From the foregoing, it will now be appreciated that the device of thepresent invention provides a door safety edge construction which greatlysimplifies and expedites installation, maintenance and repair, andotherwise fully accomplishes its intended objects.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by wayof illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, itis understood that certain changes and modifications may be made withintthe spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A door safety edge comprising a door edge plate for longitudinalextension along a door edge and having an outer surface facing away fromthe door, said door edge plate having its outer surface generally flat,there being at least one longitudinally extending groove in said outeredge plate surface, said groove having opposite internal undercuts, aresiliently compressible pressure sensitive inner body extendinglongitudinally along said edge plate adjacent to said groove, a casingof flexible sheet material covering said inner body, an attachmentmember of relatively stiff flexible material secured to said bodyadjacent to the door, and at least one relatively stiff rib on saidattachment member and located in said groove, said rib including lateralextensions engaged in said undercuts for retention against separationfrom said plate, said attachment member being generally flat and securedin facing relation with said inner body interposed between the latterand said edge plate, said outer edge plate surface having an accesspassageway communicating with said groove adjacent to and spacedinwardly from one groove end for passing said rib into said groove.

2. A door safety edge construction according to claim 1, said casingcompletely encompassing said body in sealing relation therewith, andsaid attachment member being secured to said casing in sealing relationwith the latter about a closed configuration.

3. A door safety edge construction comprising a door edge plate forlongitudinal coextension along a door edge and having an outer surfacefacing away from the door, said door edge plate having its outer surfacegenerally flat, there being at least one longitudinally extending groovein said outer edge plate surface, said groove having opposite internalundercuts, a resiliently compressible pressure sensitive inner bodyextending longitudinally along said edge plate adjacent to said groove,a casing of flexible sheet material covering said inner body, anattachment member of relatively stiff flexible material secured to saidbody adjacent to said door, and at least one relatively stiff rib onsaid attachment member and located in said groove, said rib includinglateral extensions engaged in said undercuts for retention againstseparation from said plate, said inner body, casing, attachment memberand rib being a longitudinally flexible unit, and said outer edge platesurface having an access passageway communicating with said grooveadjacent to and spaced inwardly from one groove end for passing said ribinto said groove upon flexure of said unit.

4. A door safety edge construction according to claim 3, there being anadditional longitudinally extending undercut groove in said outer edgeplate surface parallel to and spaced from said first mentioned groove,and an additional relatively stiff flexible rib on said attachmentmember parallel to and spaced from said frist mentioned rib and locatedin said additional groove, said first rib including lateral extensionsengaged in said undercut additional groove for retention againstseparation from said plate.

5. A door safety edge construction according to claim 3, said attachmentmember being generally flat and secured in facing relation with saidinner body interposed between the latter and said edge plate.

6. A door safety edge construction according to claim 3, said casingcompletely encompassing said body'in sealing relation therewith, andsaid attachment member being secured to said casing in sealing relationwith the latter about a closed configuration.

1. A door safety edge comprising a door edge plate for longitudinalextension along a door edge and having an outer surface facing away fromthe door, said door edge plate having its outer surface generally flat,there being at least one longitudinally extending groove in said outeredge plate surface, said groove having opposite internal undercuts, aresiliently compressible preSsure sensitive inner body extendinglongitudinally along said edge plate adjacent to said groove, a casingof flexible sheet material covering said inner body, an attachmentmember of relatively stiff flexible material secured to said bodyadjacent to the door, and at least one relatively stiff rib on saidattachment member and located in said groove, said rib including lateralextensions engaged in said undercuts for retention against separationfrom said plate, said attachment member being generally flat and securedin facing relation with said inner body interposed between the latterand said edge plate, said outer edge plate surface having an accesspassageway communicating with said groove adjacent to and spacedinwardly from one groove end for passing said rib into said groove.
 2. Adoor safety edge construction according to claim 1, said casingcompletely encompassing said body in sealing relation therewith, andsaid attachment member being secured to said casing in sealing relationwith the latter about a closed configuration.
 3. A door safety edgeconstruction comprising a door edge plate for longitudinal coextensionalong a door edge and having an outer surface facing away from the door,said door edge plate having its outer surface generally flat, therebeing at least one longitudinally extending groove in said outer edgeplate surface, said groove having opposite internal undercuts, aresiliently compressible pressure sensitive inner body extendinglongitudinally along said edge plate adjacent to said groove, a casingof flexible sheet material covering said inner body, an attachmentmember of relatively stiff flexible material secured to said bodyadjacent to said door, and at least one relatively stiff rib on saidattachment member and located in said groove, said rib including lateralextensions engaged in said undercuts for retention against separationfrom said plate, said inner body, casing, attachment member and ribbeing a longitudinally flexible unit, and said outer edge plate surfacehaving an access passageway communicating with said groove adjacent toand spaced inwardly from one groove end for passing said rib into saidgroove upon flexure of said unit.
 4. A door safety edge constructionaccording to claim 3, there being an additional longitudinally extendingundercut groove in said outer edge plate surface parallel to and spacedfrom said first mentioned groove, and an additional relatively stiffflexible rib on said attachment member parallel to and spaced from saidfrist mentioned rib and located in said additional groove, said firstrib including lateral extensions engaged in said undercut additionalgroove for retention against separation from said plate.
 5. A doorsafety edge construction according to claim 3, said attachment memberbeing generally flat and secured in facing relation with said inner bodyinterposed between the latter and said edge plate.
 6. A door safety edgeconstruction according to claim 3, said casing completely encompassingsaid body in sealing relation therewith, and said attachment memberbeing secured to said casing in sealing relation with the latter about aclosed configuration.